Cameron, though, drew the distinction between the context of how fans use the term. Tottenham, who have a strong Jewish following, have been regularly subjected to anti-Semitic abuse from opposition fans, notably last season against West Ham United.

In what has been described by the club as a “defence mechanism”, fans have regularly used the word “Yid” themselves, with chants of “Yid Army” and “Yiddos” regularly sung from the home stands at White Hart Lane.

Some Jewish groups, however, have argued that the term “Yid” is offensive in any context.

Asked whether Tottenham fans should be prosecuted for using the term, Cameron told the Jewish Chroni­cle: “You have to think of the mens rea. There’s a difference between Spurs fans self-describing themselves as Yids and someone calling someone a Yid as an insult. You have to be motivated by hate. Hate speech should be prosecuted but only when it’s motivated by hate.”

The Prime Minister’s stance differs fundamentally from the FA statement last week. “The FA considers that the use of the term ‘Yid’ is likely to be considered offensive by the reasonable observer and considers the term to be inappropriate in a football setting,” the FA said.

“The FA would encourage fans to avoid using it in any situation. Use of the term in a public setting could amount to a criminal offence, and leave those fans liable to prosecution and potentially a lengthy football banning order.”

The Board of Deputies of British Jews has said that it backs the FA’s stance on the use of the word “Yid”.

The comedian David Baddiel, himself a Jewish Chelsea fan, has argued that Spurs fans should not describe themselves as “Yids”. Baddiel, who has estimated that more than 90 per cent of Tottenham supporters are not Jewish, responded to Cameron’s comments yesterday on Twitter.

“To those asking – yes I’m OK with David Cameron taking an opposing position to me on The Y-Word,” ­Baddiel wrote. “To be honest, it’s a dream come true.”

Tottenham supporters were openly defiant of the FA’s warning during the match against Norwich City on Saturday, with the word “Yid” regularly chanted as well as the assertion that “we’ll sing what we like”. The FA does not intend to take any disciplinary action over the chanting and there have been no arrests.

Spurs have said that they will consult over the issue and they are preparing a questionnaire for their season-ticket holders. The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust believe that it should be for the fans to decide if they stop using the word ‘yid’. “As far as we are concerned and as far as the police are concerned, unless there is an intent to offend, then you can’t be prosecuted,” a spokesman said.